Y.O.U. to benefit from Invest For Kids conference

Evanston-based Youth Organizations Umbrella has been selected as a beneficiary of Invest For Kids, Chicago’s investable ideas conference benefitting local children.

Y.O.U. was one of just seven organizations across the region selected this year to benefit from the Oct. 29 conference.

Invest For Kids annually brings together leaders in the investment industry to share their best investment ideas. Since the co-founders underwrite the expenses, Invest For Kids donates 100 percent of the money raised to youth organizations working in education, mentoring, afterschool programs, wellness and healthcare.

Invest For Kids has raised over $5 million for 33 organizations, averaging over $150,000 per beneficiary. This year is the first time that an Evanston-based agency was selected as a beneficiary.

Seth Green, Y.O.U.’s executive director, in a news release said, “Everyone at Y.O.U. is deeply honored by our selection. This support is truly transformative for our organization as we continue to grow to serve more youth in the community.”

Green noted that since 2010 Y.O.U. has doubled its budget -- from $1.6 to $3.2 million -- and the number of youth it serves -- from 450 to over 1,000 -- to meet the growing need in the community.

Ben Kovler, a co-founder of Invest For Kids, said: "We invest in charities the same way we invest in businesses. After thorough due diligence, we choose the highest performing agencies in the Chicago area that we think offer the greatest returns. Invest For Kids selected Y.O.U. because we believe in the positive impact it is making on youth and families."

The fifth annual Invest For Kids conference will take place Oct. 29, 2013 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Harris Theater in Chicago. To register for the conference, visit: http://investforkidschicago.org/.